Football: Slimbridge set to face longer trips (From Gazette Series)

Slimbridge to be placed in Western League if step five is restructured

10:30am Friday 17th February 2012 in Gloucestershire Sport

SLIMBRIDGE look set to face increased travelling costs if proposals to restructure step five go ahead.

Operations manager Barry Gay and press officer Tim Blake represented the club at a consultation meeting conducted by the FA’s Mike Appleby at Yeovil Town’s Huish Park ground on Sunday.

If the plans go ahead, the number of step five leagues will be reduced from 14 to 12 at the start of the 2013-14 season, with Slimbridge placed in a Western League, which would combine elements of the Toolstation Western and Uhlsport Hellenic Leagues.

It is believed that would increase Slimbridge’s mileage by a third per season.

“We are watching it with interest,” said Blake.

“Our main concern with the long journeys is if a game happens to be postponed it will be rescheduled for midweek and we’re going to have issues.”

After the Hellenic League schedule was cancelled for a second weekend running due to the freezing conditions, Slimbridge will be hoping to move to within one point of fellow high-flyers Flackwell Heath, who visit Wisloe Road on Saturday (3pm).

Fred Ward and Jamie Martin are still suspended for the fifth-placed Swans.

Teams in Proposed Western League: Barnstaple Town, Bishop Sutton, Bitton, Bridport, Brislington, Bristol Manor Farm, Cheltenham Saracens, Corsham Town, Fairford Town, Hallen, Highworth Town, Ilfracombe Town, Larkhall Athletic, Longwell Green Sports, Merthyr Town, Odd Down, Radstock Town, Sherborne Town, Shortwood United, Shrivenham, Slimbridge AFC, Street, Wells City and Willand Rovers.